SSTI Digest

With the National Conference of State Legislatures saying 23 states already feel the pinch of a slowing economy and large state tax cuts made during the late 1990s, at least one group says the situation will only worsen with the pending federal tax cut. Basing its analysis of the President's original tax cut proposal, Citizens for Tax Justice estimates states stand to lose potentially $35 billion dollars a year in revenues by 2012. As much as $15.2 billion would be lost through the repeal of the federal estate tax. Currently, according to the group, each state gets almost 26 cents of each dollar the federal government receives from estate taxes paid by residents of that state. The revenue sharing accounts for 1-3 percent of states' total tax revenues. The group points out as well that, according to the congressional Joint Committee on Taxation, another effect of the estate tax repeal is an additional $16 billion in lost state income tax revenues annually by 2012. The May report from Citizens for Tax Justice provides a table…

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has released Federal Science and Engineering Support to Universities, Colleges, and Nonprofit Institutions: Fiscal Year 1999 (NSF 01-323). The data presented in the 33 tables cover all categories of direct federal science and engineering (S&E) support to institutions of higher education in the United States. The 18 agencies listed in these tables provide virtually all of the Federal funding for S&E research and development (R&D) at U.S. universities and colleges. Data also are reported on these agencies' obligations to nonprofit institutions. In FY 1999, the 18 agencies reported obligations to 1,088 universities and colleges, 35 academic system offices, and 1,038 independent nonprofit institutions. Statistical tables presenting the information by state include: B-3 Federal obligations for science and engineering to universities and colleges, by geographic division and State: fiscal years 1992-99 B-5 Federal obligations for science and engineering research and development to universities and…

Arkansas The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that Fayetteville city officals are looking at alternative locations to create the Arkansas Research and Technology Park since a wetlands has grown to consume 80 of the 289 acres originally purchased for the park in 1994. A possible front-runner site, according to the paper, is an area that would closely link the park to the University of Arkansas Engineering Research Center, the Genesis Technology Incubator, and the High Density Electronics Center. State, federal, and private funding sources currently are being investigated for the technology cluster-based economic development project. Georgia  The Georgia Research Alliance is leading the state's effort to transform Atlanta into a nationally recognized center for cancer research and treatment. The Atlanta Journal and Constitution reports the state legislature approved $44 million this year for construction of the first of three centers of excellence connected to universities and research hospitals. Plans call for spending up to $400 million of…

Between 10 and 15 Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSEC) will be funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) in early 2002. In a recently released request for proposals, NSF indicates that it has $24 million available for the centers. The MRSEC program supports interdisciplinary, university-based group research and education in the areas of materials science and engineering, condensed matter physics, solid state and materials chemistry, and related areas. Each of the 24 existing MRSECs encompass one or more interdisciplinary research groups. The request for proposals is toward making between 10 and 15 awards to universities for the establishment of new MRSECs or continuation of existing centers. Existing MRSECs will be in open competition with new proposals. If an existing MRSEC is unsuccessful, phase out funding may be provided at a reduced level for up to two years. Grantees will receive awards ranging from $800,000 to $5 million per year for up to six years starting in September, 2002. NSF will make an initial commitment to…

Lewis Branscomb, one of the leading voices in science and technology policy, and Harold E. Varmus, former director of the National Institutes of Health and a Nobel prize holder for contributions to understanding the mechanisms of cancer, will receive the Vannevar Bush Award for lifetime achievement in science and public service from the National Science Board (NSB) on May 23. Joseph Hammang, currently vice president for science, technology and business development at the Rhode Island Economic Development Corp., has accepted a position with the Rhode Island Economic Policy Council to run the Samuel Slater Technology Fund and six Slater Centers. Mr. Hammang will remain the Governor's Advisor for Science and Technology. In March, the North Dakota Department of Economic Development and Finance (ED&F) named Jim Hirsch director of workforce development. Ann Rydalch has been elected to serve as chair of the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer. Ms. Rydalch works for at the Idaho National Engineering &…

Lewis Branscomb, one of the leading voices in science and technology policy, and Harold E. Varmus, former director of the National Institutes of Health and a Nobel prize holder for contributions to understanding the mechanisms of cancer, will receive the Vannevar Bush Award for lifetime achievement in science and public service from the National Science Board (NSB) on May 23.

Joseph Hammang, currently vice president for science, technology and business development at the Rhode Island Economic Development Corp., has accepted a position with the Rhode Island Economic Policy Council to run the Samuel Slater Technology Fund and six Slater Centers. Mr. Hammang will remain the Governor's Advisor for Science and Technology.

In March, the North Dakota Department of Economic Development and Finance (ED&F) named Jim Hirsch director of workforce development.

Ann Rydalch has been elected to serve as chair of the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer. Ms. Rydalch works for at the Idaho National Engineering & Environmental Lab. Outgoing chair C. Dan Brand will be retiring this summer.

Christopher Anderson has been promoted to become president of the Massachusetts High Technology Council. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Anderson served as vice president and general counsel to the organization.

SSTI welcomes Mark Kish to the staff as our new Writer/PR Assistant. Mark will assist with the SSTI Weekly Digest, updating and expanding our website, and planning for our September 19-21 annual conference.

Venture capital (VC) investments for the first quarter of 2001 totaled $10.1 billion, a staggering 40 percent less than the previous quarter, according to the latest Moneytree™ survey prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers in partnership with VentureOne. Although VC investment now has declined steadily in each of the four quarters since the peak in the first quarter of 2000, the latest results mark the greatest quarter-to-quarter decrease in absolute dollar terms since the survey started. While the figures of a separate survey released this week by the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) and Venture Economics reported higher totals for the two most recent quarters, the decline between quarters of 42 percent is consistent with the Moneytree™ results. NVCA reported first quarter 2001 venture capital activity totaled $11.7 billion compared to $20.5 billion for the final quarter of 2000. According to the PricewaterhouseCooper’s website, seed and first round financings were hit hardest: both deal flow and the amount raised were at approximately half the level of fourth quarter 2000. Seed and angel investments are areas most often targeted…